1304 The Harbinger (The 13th Floor) Read Online Free

a boon. If he chooses to marry the dog, I won’t have it. She disrespected me. You should pluck every feather from her body and throw her to the giants. Let them eat her or, even better, breed her.”
    The goddess’ smirk was loathsome. Meira’s toes curled. She didn’t know what would be worse: to lose her wings or to be given to giants for their pleasure. They’d be as likely to eat her as to—Ugh. She didn’t want to think about it.
    “Hm, I would have to offer him a boon.” Zeus pursed his lips.
    “I don’t think you need to worry about the mortal asking for Meira. Once he sees her true form, he’ll be horrified. He won’t want to be with her any longer. A bonus that you’ll get to see him reject her, Mother.”
    Meira wanted to smack Ares for his comments. In her true form, she retained her beautiful humanoid body except for her wings and her feet which started at mid-calf. But there was truth to what he said. Sam might not turn her away for how she looked, but he’d feel betrayed. He’d told her everything about his life, and he knew only part of who she was. Honesty was incredibly important to him. He’d be crushed that she’d lied to him.
    “A challenge!” Zeus whooped, sounding like a boy eager for a sweet treat. He pointed a finger at Meira. “You will bring the mortal’s soul tonight at the moment he straddles the line of life and death. He will see you as you are, my servant. Let the price of your disrespect be the loss of your love.”
    No lightning bolt, but the Thunder God’s exit was still dramatic.
    Meira found strength to stand on her own, but only through the numbness that was creeping in. Whatever happened with the challenge, Sam wouldn’t want her any more. No more morning coffees and foot massages. She’d never share his bed or even tell him she loved him.
    “Don’t think I approve of this challenge. I say kill the dog and be done with this. I take chances with nothing.” Hera stomped to the door. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten, bitch. The men will play their games, but I will crush you.”
    The threat was not to be taken lightly. If Meira were sane, she’d run screaming from the room. Zeus’ wrath was widely known, but Hera’s was far more vicious.
    Once his mother left the room, Ares released Meira and twirled a lock of her hair around one of his fingers before letting it bounce against her shoulder. “Wasn’t that fun? And here I thought the highpoint of my day would be a couple of skirmishes in the Middle East.”
    “What do you want, Ares?” Meira’s voice wasn’t quite her own. Flat, but with an edge.
    “What do you mean?” He couldn’t hide that devious glint in his dark eyes. “A challenge gives you and your lover a chance. Maybe I’ve been spending too much time with Aphrodite recently.”
    If he had, it wasn’t to learn her wisdom. Meira shook out her wings as she stood straighter. “Please don’t pretend you care. Tell me what you want.”
    “You know what I want.” Sleek and seductive, the god was every woman’s fantasy.
    But Meira wasn’t every woman. “You’ll never have me.”
    Ares’ hand darted forward and snatched her chin. He yanked her close to him. “I could have you any time I wanted, but that’s not what I want from you.” He grinned and let her go with a little shove. He strolled around the table to the far door. “Be sure to fetch your mortal’s soul on time tonight. I’m sure you wouldn’t fall for any ordinary hero. I can’t wait to see how he holds up against Father’s challenge.”
    When Meira was finally alone in the room, she let the tears come.

CHAPTER 4
     
    There was no point in canceling her dinner with Sam. Meira gave a few seconds of consideration to taking Sam to her apartment and keeping him safe there, but if the Fates had declared he’d die, then he was going to die one way or another. The thirteenth floor also did not hide her from the gods, since it was Zeus who sent her to live there in the first